Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-05-27
Monarchs Of the Plains.
Would we return
Would we return &?

buffalo experience was a fight between
two buffalo bulls over on the Cannon
ball river in Dakota, and of which was
the sole and lucky witness. was rid
ing slowly up knoll thinking of any
thing but buffaloes, when | heard the
most awful believing and crashing just
ahead, as if all pandemonium had turned
loose to scare me out of my five senses.
My horse reared and plunged, but quick
ly dismounting l lariated my steed, and
between creeping and crawling man
aged to secure safe observatory from
which | could view the circus then in
progress. Two powerful buffalo bulls
were going it hammer and tongs in fu-
rious efforts to butt each others brains
out. They had little arena all to them
selves, the rest of the herd forming cir
Gle around, watching but Not interfer-
ing, but waiting to drive the vanquished
from the field in disgrace. Talk about
your bullfghts in Spain, your 1000
pound bulls battling with little mata-
dors. No arena of ancient Spain, or
Rome, or modern Mexico ever had two
such fierce comhatants face to face, nor
has the tug of war and the fight for
mastery ever been so determined and
fierce as between those two monarchs Of
the plains on the Cannonball river.
There had only been one crash before |
took my reserved seat, but the cOncus-
sion and crack of the blow might have
been heard mile. The fun had just be-
gun. After the frs. whack the two
champions sort of backed and eyed each
other for second crash. Then they
lowered their heads, paved the ground
viciously for few seconds, and came
back at each other like pair of freight
trains coming from opposite directions
on the same track. When the heads
came together this time it was with a
dull thump which led me to believe one
or both craniums had been cracked on
the first round. There they stuck-the
two heads-and then both bulls began to
push with all their might. The dOgged,
stubborn pushing lasted some minutes,
until the white froth began to drop in
long, tenacious strings from their lips,
and the red eyes TO glare through what
appeared to be clots of blood. Some
body was hurt, for the crimson was dye
ing the white froth as it fell to the
ground. This dead. set of strength
could not last long. The tendons were
standing out like ropes across the thighs
and along the thick necks, and every
moment was telling upon the short wind
and straining of both antagonists. AL
though much of size, could see that
one Of the bulls was an old crusader
while the other was a youngster, and
evidently trying to drive the old man
out of the herd.
The old fellows feet slipped, and the
intelligence of the slight disaster seemed
to burst upon his antagonist quicker
than fash of lighting. No gladiator
ever urged his advantage more quickly.
There was sudden relaxation on the
part of the young one, then rush and
slipping of horns upon each other,
followed by raking, upward stroke,
and the horn of the younger bull had
torn the flank of the older fellow from
the leg along the neck to the chin. 1t
was not fatal stroke but an exceeding
ly damaging one. Every time he was
attacked the patriarch Of the herd pre-
sented his war and weather-beaten herd,
but the youthful bison caught him again
and again behind the shoulders until the
blood was pouring in perfect stream
from the wound. With the agony Of
defeat in his eye, and growing weaker
from the loss of blood, still the old fel-
low refused to be conquered. At last,
with tongue hanging out and painting
for breath, he stood at bay, defeated and
conquered, but still disdaining to re-
treat. The young bull pushed and
gored him, but he made no attempt to
protect his fianks. The rest Of the herd
drew in closer, snorted and shook their
heads, while the cows. who had always
regarded him as the head of the family,
spitefully butted him in the ribs and
walked away. Some of the young bulls
gave him contemptuous dig, until !
thought the poor fellow must have re-
ceiyed thousand wounds.
He stood logged and defiant, whipped,
but still obstinate, and gradually the